“Thou art the Christ,” said Peter, in answering his Lord who he believed He was. “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven…and I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Mt 16:17-18).
As exciting as India was (you will find some pictures to the right), it would be easy to get discouraged . I saw with my own eyes over 100 congregations being impacted through Biblical training for their pastors, in many cases the first formal training they have ever received. One could wonder, however, how many more churches are there without trained leaders? How much false teaching is going on in such a massive country with over a billion people? How can anyone come to believe in Christ in such an environment? Jesus gives the answer: It is not dependent upon man, it is not dependent upon perfect doctrine; my Father will reveal himself to whomever he chooses, and I will build my church.
This is a good lesson for me here in the US too. My effectiveness in ministry is not dependent upon my skills, and gifts, and oratory ability. God will reveal himself to whom he chooses, and He will build his church—not me. And if God is for me, and with me, who can be against me?
God, help me to trust completely in you. Help me to gladly step aside and simply point others to you in confidence—knowing that you will accomplish your purposes in every single facet of every relationship I have with others.
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